VG barge owner fined $16K for marine accident in 2015
Five years after his involvement in a marine accident, owner of Global Ocean Transport Inc., Ricardo S. Leonard aka 'Sammy' was fined $16,000 for fleeing the scene of the accident among other criminal offences.
Magistrate Ayanna O. Baptiste-DaBreo on Monday, September 7, 2020, sentenced the Virgin Gorda man, who has until December to pay up.
The magistrate fined him $4,000 for Conduct Endangering a Yacht, $8,000 for Leaving the Scene of a Collision Without Rendering Assistance, and $4,000 for Failing to Keep a Proper Lookout.
The incident reportedly occurred on April 23, 2015, at St Thomas Bay, on Virgin Gorda.
Court reports indicate that the yacht was anchored at the bay when one of Leonard’s barges crashed into it.
The yacht owners were seeking damages of $1,231,576.30 in the civil proceedings.
However, Leonard’s lawyer, Stephen R. Daniels told the court that his client paid $850, 000 through his insurance to the claimants and that caused his insurance premiums to rise since then.
He argued that the matter was an accident and his client had no other run-ins with the law while seeking a minimal fine for Leonard.
Addressing the court after the sentencing, Magistrate DaBreo said in this case; the fines would not have any consecutive or concurrent sentences.
The sentencing was conducted online.
The magistrate fined him $4,000 for Conduct Endangering a Yacht, $8,000 for Leaving the Scene of a Collision Without Rendering Assistance, and $4,000 for Failing to Keep a Proper Lookout.
The incident reportedly occurred on April 23, 2015, at St Thomas Bay, on Virgin Gorda.
Court reports indicate that the yacht was anchored at the bay when one of Leonard’s barges crashed into it.
The yacht owners were seeking damages of $1,231,576.30 in the civil proceedings.
However, Leonard’s lawyer, Stephen R. Daniels told the court that his client paid $850, 000 through his insurance to the claimants and that caused his insurance premiums to rise since then.
He argued that the matter was an accident and his client had no other run-ins with the law while seeking a minimal fine for Leonard.
Addressing the court after the sentencing, Magistrate DaBreo said in this case; the fines would not have any consecutive or concurrent sentences.
The sentencing was conducted online.
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